7th Somerset Light Infantry, Germany 1945

[otley25]

Hi,

I thought it might be worthwhile re-posting this request to see if any one new knows anything.

A relative of mine was killed on 10/03/45 and is buried at the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Germany. He was serving in the 7th Bn. Somerset Light Infantry at the time. I believe this unit was in the 43rd Wessex Division. Does anyone know what this battalion was doing on this date?

His details are Private Alfred George Charles Mundy 1154658 Age 20.

Regards,

Alan.

[Paul Reed]

You might find this part of my website of use; it is a rough guide to tracing WW2 soldiers:

http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/tr...2_soldiers.htm

[Owen]

Alan,
I have the 43rd Wessex Div history in front of me now.
Can find nothing about 7SLI for 10/3/45.
Last action they are mentioned up to that date is 3/3/45.

3rd March. 7 Somerset Light Infantry accordingly descended from the plateau, entered the strangling red-brick village of Kehrum, and puching through it in the direction of marienbaum reached the trench system of the Hochwald defences. Here concertina wire, trenches and dug-outs barred the way to a depth which varied from a quarter to three-quarters of a mile. Only on the main road was any attempt made to defend it. D Company, however, soon dealt with this.

7 SLI were part of 214 Brigade. They held their ground whilst 129 Bde continued the advance.
4 Wilts were only unit from the Div. in action on 10/3/45.

By 10pm on the 10th all organized resistance west of the Rhine was at an end.

[Owen]

I know this is an old thread but the battalion History has been reprinted by N&MP.
Mine arrived to day.
Naval & Military Press

STORY OF THE SEVENTH BATTALION THE SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY JUNE 1944 TO MAY 1945

History of a typical line battalion of a typical county infantry regiment fighting across Europe from Normandy to the Elbe. ‘No finer soldiers ever left England’. (Brig. H. Essame). The Seventh Somersets were a typical British line battalion of a typical county infantry regiment in the Second World War. What that meant in practice is described by the military historian and soldier Brigadier H. Essame, who saw the Somersets in hot action as they fought their way from the Normandy beaches to the banks of the river Elbe in a defeated and shattered Germany. ‘No finer soldiers than the 7th Somerset Light Infantry ever left England and fought their way acorss the continent to final victory. They won their battles because at every level they were better men than the finest troops of the German Army, because they had greater courage and greater skill. There was no danger that they would not face, no hardship which they would not endure, no risk they would not take. May those who come after them be worthy of their sacrifice’.
Landing in France in late June 1944, the 7th Somersets fought their way out of Normandy and through Belgium and Holland that summer. During the winter war of 1944/45 they helped turn the Siegfried Line and pushed across the north German plain from the Rhine to the Elbe. This is the story of the last, bitter months of the war in Europe seen from the ground up, with a Roll of Honour plus decorations and awards.

Author:

Corrected and told by Captain J. L. J. MeredithFormat:

2006 N&M Press reprint (original pub 1946). SB.216pp with maps plus numerous b&w illustrations.

ISBN:1845743458
Price:£ 10.00

[Owen]

He's listed as Lance-Corporal Alfred George Charles MUNDAY Xanten 10th March 1945 died of wounds.

Mentioned on page 134,

...that a heavy shell had struck a tree immediately above the slit trench occupied by the battalion prisoners.
Two men under arrest were killed as well as Guard Commander , Lance-Corporal Munday, and another member of the guard.

[Paul Reed]

Nice work Owen - is it a good history?

[Owen]

Looks good Paul, full Roll of Honour and lists of Decorations & Awards.
Some lovely little cartoon style illustrations.
Informative history, well worth a tenner.